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The timely review by Katiyar et al¹ on green tea and skin discusses the anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant properties of green tea polyphenols. Another potential beneficial effect of green tea is worth noting. Liao and Hiipakka² have shown that the green tea catechins (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate and (-)epicatechin-3-gallate are potent inhibitors of type 1,5-reductase.² While controlled human studies have yet to be conducted to prove clinical efficacy, these findings suggest the potential for the use of green tea polyphenols in the treatment of androgen-mediated skin disorders such as androgenetic alopecia, hirsuitism, and possibly acne.

James C. Shaw, MD
Section of Dermatology
University of Chicago Hospitals
5841 S Maryland Ave, MC 5067
Chicago, IL 60637
(e-mail: jshaw@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu)

1. Katiyar SK, Ahmad N, Mukhtar H. Green tea and skin. Arch Dermatol. 2000;136:989-994. FREE FULL TEXT 2. Liao S, Hiipakka RA. Selective inhibition of steroid 5 alpha-reducatase isozymes by tea epicatechin-3-gallate and epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Biochem Biophys Res Comm. 1995;214:833-838. FULL TEXT | WEB OF SCIENCE | PUBMED

Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:664.

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